What is a Heat Exchanger?

During your last HVAC inspection, there’s a good chance the technician said something about your heat exchanger. Whether he/she suggested a replacement or reported that everything was fine, it’s a critical component to the functioning of your heater so you should have at least a basic understanding of what the part is.

Heat Exchanger 101

The heat exchanger is the part of your furnace that’s responsible for holding the flame. This part is also the part that saves your life by getting rid of things like carbon monoxide and caustic condensation.

Since the heat exchanger is the part of the furnace that holds the flame and circulates heat into your home, many heating repair professionals consider it the heart of the furnace. That’s why it is so important to stay on top of the maintenance of this part. If the heat exchanger breaks or cracks, your furnace will be unable to produce heat.

If your home is equipped with a high efficiency furnace, then you likely are dealing with a set up that contains two heat exchangers. There is a primary one that does most of the work and a secondary one that serves as back up. That secondary exchanger is the one that usually cracks because it holds a larger amount of condensation than the first.

Unfortunately, it’s hard to tell if something is wrong with the heat exchanger (besides there being a lack of heat in your home). If you think something may be wrong with this crucial part, contact an HVAC pro by calling 702.227.5622 today.